Rethinking urban mission in light of migration: An integrated ecclesiological model

Abstract

The complex interplay of the push and pull factors of migration culminates in individuals and families relocating to unfamiliar cities, and this poses challenges to the urban mission of the Church, which has to rethink its ways of doing mission in that context. Furthermore, both internal and international migration can worsen poverty in urban areas. Consequently, the contemporary Church is expected to partake in God’s holistic mission to the world, so it must actively respond to such human crises. Many theologians and missiologists regard cities as the centres of gravity for the mission of the Church. However, their contributions to urban theological discourse in academic and popular publications should be continually updated and scripturally enhanced, with the view to constructing a theological and integrated ecclesiological model for doing mission in cities, which are progressively experiencing influxes of migrants. Thus, in dialoguing with Scripture and contemporary studies on global urban situations, this article develops a theological and integrated ecclesiological model on running urban-based ministries.
Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: Furthermore, the study pays particular attention to the urban landscape of fear, which emanates from high rates of criminal activities and moral decadence.